"Willow," He reached for her, "What's going on?"
"I better fill you in." She told him everything. How the werewolf blood effected her, how Buffy killed him, why she ran away and only came back now that Buffy was dying, and how she bumped into Drusilla.
"You brought me back?" She nodded,
"I missed you so much--"
Dru cut the girl off, "Someone else missed you, too."
"Drusilla. What are you doing here?"
She woke up in Spike's arms. She didn't really remember how any of it had happened, but she didn't want to think. She was in her lover's arms. <<Spike....>> Then it struck her, and what she had done. <<Oh, god. I embraced my inner demon.>>
"You alright, Red?"
She nodded, "Will Dru be alright?"
"I hope," He said, "She took it pretty hard, and I'm scared she'll do something stupid. But," he kissed her, "You're here. That's all that matters right now."
"You have no idea how long I missed you."
"Weeks?"
She hsook her head, "Years. You've been gone for a while."
"How's Buffy?"
Willow shook her head, "I don't know. It's all been such a blur. I have no control over myself anymore, and I'm so scared."
He held her naked form close to his own, "It's pretty strange," He admitted, "But I can't stop killing, even though you do stop for 29 days of the month. I love you just the same. Remember that, Red. I loved you while you were a girl, nothing's changed."
"I hope so. I hope you don't mind me drinking bagged blood from now on."
He smiled, "Nope. It's part of you."
"Gee," She smiled, "I love you."
"What do you mean," Giles repeated on the phone, "She just left?"
"She could've got burned," Angel spoke over the phone, "But, I guess she didn't. And other things have happened, too."
Giles cringed, "Like what?"
"Drusilla's back."
"Oh my."
Angel agreed, "It will be a problem, no healthy Slayer around, but I'll do my share," He then added, "But there was soemthing else going on. Spike's men--"
"Spike's men?"
"Yup," He continued, "They were really excited about something. But, I couldn't get the info out of them. I tried."
Giles responded, "I'm sure we'll know soon enough," He checked his watch, "I have to go visit Buffy."
"Send her my regards, and please don't tell her what I just told you."
He agreed, and then hung up the phone, "Willow, what have you done this time?"
Willow frowned a few days later. Something was straining their relationship. <<It has to be Dru. Who else could it be?>> Willow would spend her nights with Buffy, while Spike would go out and eat. Drusilla would go with him, but Willow never thought that she'd try and steal him from her.
"What's wrong, Red?"
"Would it be better for you to love Dru again?"
He opened his eyes wide in shock, "What are yuo saying?"
"I was just wondering what you two do after you feed."
He took her hand, "I love you."
"And, I love you, but if loving you means letting you be with the better vampire, well, I'd do it for you. In a heartbeat...." She stuttered, "A heartbeat that I, uh, don't have."
He laughed, "I'd miss you terribly."
"I would, too."
He rolled his eyes, "Dru doesn't want me, and I don't want Dru. She wants Angel, and I want you."
Drusilla was crouched behind the door, watching the couple, "We'll see about that, Little One," She whispered excitedly, "Spike and I belong together. And," She added, "We will be."
Spike woke up with Willow sprawled across his chest. He smiled to himself, and then stroked her hair. She was so attractive to him. He carefully slid her onto the bed, and then got up to get dressed.
"Spike?" Drusilla appeared in the doorway of the bathroom, "What have you done?"
"I've done nothing wrong, Pet." He growled, "Let me pass." She ignored his demand, and instead, kissed him deeply. She held him close, trying to recapture some of heated romance that they had shared, "Are you out of your bloody, fucked up mind?"
"What?" She smiled slyly, "I didn't do anything wrong."
"Like bloody hell, you didn't."
She cut his cheek and then lapped the blood up, like she used to do when they were together, "Spike, come back to me. You need me. You can't go hunting with Little One like you used to with me," She then added, "I'd fight 'till death for you. I'm your Black Goddess, remember?"
"A fight to death?" Willow appeared, robed, "I could arrange that."
Angel raced through the park. A young vampire had told him about a fight between Drusilla and Willow, "Willow, don't you dare die on me." He prayed, running faster than he ever had before.
"Nice try," He heard Drusilla hiss, "Try harder next time."
He raced through the crowd, until he reached Spike, "Are you crazy?"
"It was Willow's idea," He smiled, "She's such a good player." Angel watched the fight, watching each vampire dodge each other's attacks, and grimaced with each blow Willow recieved.
<<She's tough. Maybe I should just give up.>> Drusilla clawed at her once, and missed, enabling Willow to attack the insane vampire. Drusilla slapped Willow hard a few times, and then slashed her face up.
"Willow!" Angel cried, and then turned to Spike, "If you love her, why aren't you stopping this?"
"I love her," Spike replied, not really answering the question, "But this was their idea."
"Will you be happy if she dies?"
No response. Angel shrugged angrily, and continued to watch the fight, praying that Willow would somehow survive.
End Part 11
"Drusilla!!" Spike screamed, "Get out of here! Now!" He hit her once, and then she ran. He fell at Willow's side, just after Angel did, "Will she live?"
"You better start praying." The girl's body was covered in blood, and several of her bones were broken, "I'll take her to my place."
"Fine." Angel carried her to his apartment, and laid her careful on the bed. He cleaned her wounds, and made sure she'd heal properly by setting her bones. He fed her some blood, as she had lost a lot, and then he sat by her side and waited.
Spike was grieving. The girl he loved was so close to death, because he let Drusilla cloud his judgement. Might've been magick. He was commited to Willow, he knew he should've told Dru that. Ashamed he was, and he didn't want to stick around, as much as he loved Willow, he thought it would be for the best.
He pulled out a piece of paper, and started to write, "Dear Willow, I'm sorry I had to leave you like this, but I was so upset. You're probably furious with me, and I deserve that--I was foolish to think it would work out. I've lost you. I've never been one to appologize, 'cause everyone knows I love a good fight, but seeing you in it, I lost my mind. I'm leaving. You might never hear from me again. No, I'm not with Drusilla, and unless she tracks me down, I don't think I'll ever see her again. Sorry I couldn't be the vampire yuo wanted me to be. This is for the best. I want you to forget about me, and settle someplace with a nice partner that loves you as much as I did--or more, if that's even possible. Take care; I love you, Spike."
<<He left me. He's gone, again!>> Willow found the note in Angel's mailbox the next night, "Nooo!" She wailed.
"What is it?" Angel rushed to see her, "What's wrong?" She handed him the note, and he read it curiously, "Oh, Willow, I'm so sorry."
She colapsed in his arms, sobbing heavily. Tears fell fluently down her face, "He didn't love me, did he?"
"Yes," Angel confirmed, "He did. The two of you came from different sides, that's all."
She looked at the ashes in the locket. She took it off, and sighed, "Let's go visit Buffy."
Buffy was so pale and thin. More so than she had ever been, "Buffy?"
"Willow, I'm glad you're safe."
"Yeah," She sighed, "Safe."
The words escaped her lips slowly, "What happened?"
"Spike left me. He said he was sorry for messing my life up, and now he's gone. Gone, Buffy."
"Oh, Willow, I'm so sorry. I knew how much you loved him," She closed her eyes, and then opened them, "I don't know how to--"
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I'll go back to where I was when you get better, and everything will go back to normal. You'll slay, hang out with the Scooby gang, and--"
Buffy frowned, "Willow, I'm not getting better," She coughed, "I want you to promise me one thing, okay?"
"Buffy, you're not dying."
"Promise me." She mustered enough energy to sound threatening.
Willow raised her hands in protest, "Okay, okay. Anything."
"Take care of Angel for me."
"Wh-what?" <<What's she saying?>>
A monitor beeped a couple of times, and then Buffy continued, "I see the way he looks at you. It's the way he used to look at me. Stay with him. Make sure he's never lonely again. Please?"
"Buffy--" The machine beeped again. This time, it seemed panicky. Or, to Willow it did. She could hear the Slayer's heart slowing down, "I love you." She squeezed Buffy's hand.
Buffy smiled, returning the squeeze weakly, "Me, too." And then, she closed her eyes. The machine stopped, and her heart stopped beating. She was dead.
The funeral was set for eight o'clock. Angel and Willow were all prepared to go. Her death had an impact on everyone's lives. Giles had a new Slayer to train, but she couldn't ever replace the void that Buffy had left. Joyce was alone now. She spent more time with Giles than anyone else, as they were both grieving the same pain. Xander and Cordy seemed fine on the outside, but Willow knew this was eating Xander up. Cordy, too, was affected inside.
Angel had noticed Willow's changes since her friend's death. She had lost her will to strive. The color had faded form her eyes, and her soul was dying. Angel had no idea on how to help the girl he loved.
"You sure you want to go?" He asked her one last time before leaving their home.
She nodded, "Yeah."
"Will you be okay?"
She shook her head, "Part of me's dead, again."
They walked the to the church in silence. It was a small funeral, and everyone wore the appropiate color. <<It's so sad.>> Willow sobbed the whole time.
Angel was upset, but he resolved that he had to be strong for Willow, "You okay?"
"Yes." She hissed, wiping tears from her eyes. <<I wish everyone woul stop asking me that. I brought all of this upon myself. I didn't have to come home. I didn't have to do any of the things I had done. But, I did, and they're my mistakes. I have to live with them.>>
Angel looked into her eyes, "Not everything you did was as mistake Will'. Coming home wasn't, despite what you think."
"You can read my thoughts, too?!" She whispered back.
Angel smiled, "No, you seem to think outloud. It's hard to explain, but I hear it when I try and read your emotions. I was trying to see how you were holding up, and I got your thoughts, instead."
"Oh," She responded, "Well, how about you stop trying to sense me? I'll tell you when I'm upset," She brushed anothe tear aside, looking at the coffin, "I'm upset now." He took her into his arms, "Don't let go," She whispered as the minister finished the ceremony, "Don't let go."
End Part 12
"You ready for this?"
Angel nodded, "As long as you're right beside me."
"Don't worry," Willow smiled, as they prepared to get off the plane, "I'll stay right beside you, the whole time."
They were in Galway, Ireland. Angel suggested that they take a tour of Europe. Willow was apprehensive, as she was still so unsure of herself, but she trusted Angel. They were going to travel through Ireland, England, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Germany. At first, Angel didn't want to go to the first two destinations, as there were many memories that he wasn't ready to face yet, but Willow persuaded that he should go and face things. He said he would, as long as she would go with him.
<<I guess this must be hard for him.>> She rubbed his shoulders, as they waited in a line for a rental car, "You sure you're okay?"
He nodded, "Yes, Willow, I'm sure," He studied her face for a moment, and then said, "After this, I'm going to help you."
She shook her head, "The only help I really need is a stake through the heart."
He shook her, "Don't you EVER say that, Willow. Ever."
"Okay, okay." She backed off, ending the discussion.
<<I've never seen him like this. He seems so distant, and alone. Scared, and tormented. EVen more tormented than he used to be.>> She finished brushing her hair, and then she walked out of the bathroom, and sat on one of the beds.
Angel looked up from a magazine he was reading and said, "Willow, could we talk?"
"About what?" She smiled.
"You."
She rolled her eyes, "Not this again! Angel, I told you where we stood on this issue. Case closed." She folded her arms across her chest, and turned away from him.
Silence.
"Angel?"
Silence.
"Ouch!" Angel had jumped on her, sending her flying across the bed. He was on top of her now, with a sheepish grin on his face, "Angel!" She pounded his back, "Get off of me!"
"Not until we talk." He smiled like a cheshire cat.
"Fine," She relented, "Now, get off!"
He shook his head, "Can't do that."
Willow was getting frustrated, "Why not?"
"If I do," He explained, "Then you'll run, and we won't get to talk," He folded his arms on his chest, which propped him up so he could look into Willow's eyes, "So, we talk, and then I can get off."
"Gee," She commented dryly, "Such hospitality."
He chuckled in response, "Someday, you'll appreciate this," He changed the subject, "So, patient," He joked, pretending to be a shrink with a funny accent, which made her laugh, "What do vee have on our minds today?"
After she stopped giggling, she replied, "Actually, I have a 200 pound Angel on my whole body right now."
She swatted at him again, unable to get him off of her, as he chuckled, losing the accent, "Okay, I tried," He sobered, "But seriously, Willow, we need to talk. I've been worried about you, ever since Spike died that first time. And then, when he left, and when Buffy died, I wasn't sure how you were going to hold up."
"I'm going to live forever," She sighed, "I should get used to seeing the people I love dying," She looked into Angel's eyes, "Except for you, of course."
"You get used to it, after a while," He commented before asking, "Really, how are you holding up?"
"How would you feel if you were me?"
He thought long and hard for a moment, "Well," He scratched his chin, "I'd be upset, alone, depressed, and in desperate need of someone to love me."
"In a nutshell."
"So," He commented, "I will offer my services."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, "What kind of services?"
"I will hold your Kleenex's, I will be your companion, I will pick you up when you're sad, I will keep that smile on your face at all costs, and, on top of that, I'll hug you when you need a hug."
She smiled, "Thanks."
"Does that help you at all?"
"A little."
He rolled off of her, and they both sat up, "Well, that's all I had to say. Feel free to say more when you want to."
"Angel?"
"Hold me." He silently complied, wrapping his arms around her. <<I feel this total sense of security when I'm in his arms. When Spike held me, I just felt excited. Maybe what we had wasn't love. Maybe it was lust.>> She frowned, unaware that Angel was studying her, trying to read her thoughts again. <<I just want to stay here forever. I love the way Angel makes me feel.>>
<<I love the way you fit in my arms, Willow.>>
"Ah!" She jumped out of his arms, "How did you do that?!"
He shrugged, "I, uh,--"
"Out with it." She demanded.
"I have been practising mind-reading for a while," He admitted, "I thougvht it would help me understand what was going on with you, and when you'd leave, I always wanted to be able to sense your prescence."
She widdened her eyes, "How long have you been--"
"A few months. Try it."
She wriggled her eyebrows. <<Angel?>>
<<I'm here.>>
<<This is too much.>> She rolled her eyes, "Why did you do that?"
"I was scared you'd disappear, and I always wanted to have a vague idea on what you were doing. If you were sad, happy, whatever. I just wanted to know."
"So," She smiled slyly, "I have a stalker now, do I?"
"A completely Willow-Obsessed vampire. Right here, holding you close." She laughed quietly, and fell back into his arms, "I guess I was lonely, and I missed you."
"Just promise me one thing, okay?"
"Anything." He complied.
She turned to look up at him, "Don't read my thoughts without warning, okay? In case I'm thinking something I wouldn't even want a devil to know."
"Okay. I promise." He checked the clock, "It's late. You want to sleep?"
She nodded, "As long as I can stay in your arms."
End Part 13
"You okay?" She patted his arm soothingly, as they walked through the entrance of farmhouse's yard. It looked so familiar to Angel, and suddenly memories started to flood back, "Is this home?"
He nodded, "Yeah. They've changed it a lot, but it's still the same place. After a century, I think they turned the whole place into a museum. It's closed now, though, so we'll have to jump the fence."
"Sure." They leapt the fence in a single bound, and they found themselves facing a sign which read, 'Galway's Greatest Mystery.'
He tsk'd, "They turned this place into a Mystery House?"
"It could always be worse."
They broke into the place easily, and they found themselves looking at a very old kitchen, "It's just like it used to be." Angel muttered.
"Weird."
They walked around the room, Angel studying everything closely, while Willow just studied Angel. <<He seems okay so far.>> Angel was hiding his feelings from his companion, he couldnt' help it. He didn't want to bother her with his problems, when she had her own to deal with.
<<Angel?>>
"What!?!" He hollered. Terrified, she shrunk against a wall, "Willow, I'm so sorry."
She approached him wearily, "Angel, I understand you're stressed and sad, and stuff, but talk to me, okay?"
"Okay." He vowed. They continued to walk around the house, reading the little plaques all over the house, "It's so weird. I didn't think they'd reconstruct the house. I didn't think this woul affect Galway so much."
"I guess you guys meant more to the city than just a rich family."
"I guess so." They walked outside, where they were met with a graveyard. Headstones were there, marking the places of his mother, father, sister, and fiancée, "I'm not here."
"They never had a body--" Willow scanned the field, "Wait! Angel, look!" She pointed to a headstone, which read, 'Angel Kirpatrick -- Heaven took you up, to protect you from terrible sins. May God bless you.'
"Wow. I never saw this."
"They loved you." Willow was behind him, wrapping her slender arms around his waist, trying to offer him some comfort.
He took her hands in his, as they stood, over looking his grave, "You know," He spoke after a while, "It's weird, sitting here, and seeing my own tombstone."
"What do you want to do about it?"
"Would you mind if I bought some flowers for the graves?"
She hsook her head, "As long as I can come along."
"Do you think they'll ever forgive me?" He asked after placing the flowers at everyone's graves--except his own.
Willow took the last rose from his hand, and placed it on his grave, "I think if they saw you right now, and really saw how well you've taken care of everyone-- including me --I think they'd forgive you instantly."
"That rose was for you."
"Well," She replied, "We can't have the people puzzled. Couldn't have them thinking why someone would put flowers on everyone else's grave, but not Angel's."
"Angel doesn't deserve them." He spoke in third person.
"Don't go there, Angel."
He looked down at her, and smiled while reaching for her hand, "Maybe," He then wriggled his eyebrows mischieviously, "I can't wait to see the papers."
"'Mysterious Griever Lays Flowers In A Secured Historic Site.'" She smiled, "Yup, I can see it now."
"We better go get some food," He said, pulling out an envelope from his inside coat pocket, "This will ensure us enough food for our stay in Ireland. Plus referals to other blood banks along our travels."
"You're so smart." She followed him out into the front yard, and over the fence. They walked to a local hospital, and from there, they got their meals. They got back to the hotel minutes before the sun started to rise.
"Whew," Willow exclaimed, flopping down on the bed, "That was very close. We were almost dusted."
"Yeah."
"You're not going to eat?"
He didn't answer at first, "I'm just thinking."
"'Bout the house? Your family?"
"Yeah."
Willow put her glass of blood down, and envelopped him in a bear hug, "C'm'ere, Slugger." She held him tight, "You need a hug."
"Thanks." He rested his head on her shoulder, as she swayed back and forth, trying to rock him to sleep.
"Morning, Sleepyhead," She teased as Angel stirred next to her, "You feeling any better?" He nodded, "Want some food? I put it in the ice bucket to save for you."
He chuckled, "Thanks." He took the bag from her, and drank its contents hungrily.
"Now," She smiled, "We just have to wait for the paper."
He cracked a smile, relaxing Willow, "I can't begin to thank you enough. You have no idea. I don't deserve you."
"Do we have to have this conversation again?" A stern, yet loving, look crossed her face, "I really don't want to launch into it again. It makes me cry every time," She explained, "To see you discredit yourself like that."
"Then," He responded, "You must know how I feel, everytime you say you wish you were dust," Her heart lurched, fully understanding what he meant, as he continued, "Every time you appologize for something that wasn't your fault, or every time you push yourself further away from the world and your friends. It has to feel the same way."
"When your heart melts, and the tears start to fall," She recalled past feelings, "I never know how to make it better; I only know I want it better right now, so you'll stop knocking yourself down, but I can never reach you--"
He cut her off, adding, "Every time you threaten to walk into sunlight, every time you hold a stake to your heart," He added to her sobs, with his own, "If I couldn't reach you fast enough to make you stop, or convince you that I need you, Willow, I don't have a damned clue on what I would do without seeing your face every night when I wake up," He tried to wipe her tears away, "Willow, I couldn't go on happily without you. I need, want, love you more than anything in this world."
"Angel," She sobbed, falling against his chest, embracing him while he did the same, holding her dear to him with his strong arms, as they comforted each other, "I love you."
"I love you." He kissed her lightly at first, but they soon heated it up. Before Willow knew it, they were lying down on the bed, him on top of her. Their sadness brought them closer. They were bonded in a way no one else could understand.
It started to get hot and heavy, Willow being touched with fire and ice all at once, as Angel tried to please her. But, all at once, it stopped, and Angel started to cry, "I can't."
"Why not?"
He wiped a tear away, "The curse." He colapsed into her arms, and to them, the world just seemed to stop. Two lonely souls alone in a dark, empty world.
End Part 14
Willow picked up a phone, while she watched Angel sleep. <<Maybe he won't want to help. He has good reason not to, but, maybe he'd have a change of heart...?>> Nevertheless, she dialed the number.
"Hello?" The familiar British voice was like angelic music to her ears.
"Giles!" She whispered excitedly, "It's so glad to hear your voice!"
He was happy as well, "Willow! Are you alright? Oh! This is so nice, to hear your voice again!" He paused, and asked, "Has anything happened?"
"No, not really," She replied, "I'm fine. I'm just worried about Angel."
"How so?"
She glanced over at his sleeping form, "Well, is there anyway to alter the curse?"
"What do you mean?"
She tried again, "Like, adding conditions to it, so it's stronger?"
"Willow," His voice sounded concerned, "Are you two--"
She protected them both, "We're in love, Giles. It's so nice. Not a crush, like it was with Xander or Jesse. Not in lust, like with Spike. Love. It's real. But," She added, "We can't do anything about it. He's scared he'd lose his soul."
"Good for him to be concerned." He spat out.
"Giles," She responded to his tone of voice, "I know you have it out for him, because to you, he's caused a lot of pain and trouble. But, right now, he's not anywhere near you. He's with me. He's so unhappy, Giles. His house was recontructed and turned into a museum about his family's murder! He even has an empty grave. We visited it last night, and I assume we'll be going back. He's so empty. If you could just see his eyes, Rupert--"
"Willow, you know I'd do anything for you," He responded, cutting her off, "I won't be happy about it, but I'll look. I'll get someone to help me."
She smiled through her tears, which had started running down her face, sadness mixed with gladness, "Thank you, Giles!!"
"Please don't call me Rupert again, though."
She laughed softly, which was music to the Watcher's ears, "Thank you, so much! You've made me so unbelieveably happy."
"I can tell." She glanced at the stirring form in the bed next to her, "I have to go. I'll call you as soon as I can."
"Yes," He said, "Please. I'll research the spells, using that program of Jenny's."
"Bye." She hung up the phone, as Angel reached behind her,
"Did you get the paper yet?" She shook her head,
"That was Giles."
He kissed the top of her head, "Oh?"
"He's going to help us," Angel tried to ask a question, but Willow cut him off, "You will just have to wait and see!"
"Angel!" She exclaimed the next day, after they had made their second visit to the gravesites of Angel's family, "We made the headlines!"
He laughed, "You seem delighted."
"I always wanted to be famous!" She flopped next to him and read parts aloud, "'In recent nights, visits have been made to the gravesites of Galway's most famous victims, the Kirpatricks. No one sees them, and they don't set off the alarms. They come and go, completely invisible to the town,'" She smiled, "We're invisible! Hear that?"
"Yup." He smiled happily.
Willow continued reading, "'Luckily, they haven't done any harm. On their first visit, they brought flowers. They're second visit, they wrote letters. Many townspeople think this is a sick joke, but for now, the police say they won't try and track them down,'" Willow put the paper down, "Those letters really threw them off, Angel."
"It made me feel better," He shrugged, "I didn't say anything that would give me away," He pointed out, "And besides, you wrote a letter to Megan."
She nodded, "I thought it would make her feel better that someone was loving you, and taking care of you. It was more for myself than anything else, same reason why you wrote those letters--to explain to them to an extent, and tell them that you love them, and appologize," She smiled, "But I know they understand now. Spirits aren't foolish."
"I know." He recalled the night where he and Buffy were possessed by two lovers, on the night of the Sadie Hawkin's Dance, "They're pretty smart."
She took his hand in her tiny one, "What are we going to do tonight?"
"Well," He checked the clock, and saw that they had a few hours left, "We could eat, and then maybe we could go for a walk?"
"Are you planning on visiting the site?"
He shook his head, "Too risky. People will be waiting," He shook his head, as if exagerating his decision, "When we start back for home, I was hoping we could stop back here, so I could say good-bye."
"Of course."
"Please remain seated until the plane comes to a complete stop." They were in England now, a few days later. Willow laughed inside, thinking about the people camped outside the museum, waiting for the visitors. Angel had a few good laughs, too, and that made her even happier to see him smileagain.
Willow looked over to Angel and smiled, "What do you have planned for here?"
"Shopping," He replied, "A musical, or opera, perhaps. How do you feel about sightseeing?"
She eyed him, "Daylight, remember?"
"I thought we'd do some private sightseeing."
"Oh," She smiled, and then thought of something, "Maybe I should call Giles. He might have some places for us to check out."
He nodded, "Good idea."
They stood up, and followed the other passengers off the plane, "You sure you want to take me shopping?"
He laughed, taking her hand in his, "Willow, I think my credit card is ready for you."
"You sure about that?"
He replied, "Yes, I'm sure. Now, let's go."
End Part 15
"How do I look?" Willow paraded out of the dressing room wearing an olive green, satin gown. It had a strapless, tight fitting bodice, and a semi-full skirt, which trailed to the ground. She wore short gloves that matched, and around her shoulders hung a matching sheer scarf.
"Willow, you look--" He shook his head, "I'm speechless." <<You're looking pretty hot, there, Chickie.>> He smiled, sending the message telepathically, so the salewoman wouldn't hear.
<<Watch it, Buster.>> "Thanks," She winced, "Um, do you prefer the short gloves wiht the arm thingy, or the long gloves?"
"Which do you like?"
"One minute, okay?" She nodded to the saleslady, "Um, could you bring the long gloves back here?"
"Of course." She returned with the gloves. Willow removed the short ones, replaced them witht he long ones, and used the scarf as a sort of headwear, to hide her face.
"What do you think?"
Angel complained, "It hides your face," He turned to the lady who was still waiting, "I think we'll take everything that she liked." She nodded, and went to tend to packing each dress and its accessories.
<<Angel?! Really?>>
He smiled at her. <<No problem. We'll be attending balls, and operas. Can't have you wearing the same ol' thing.>> He laughed. <<You know, you'd look cute in a paper bag.>>
"Thanks." She smiled, and rushed off to go get changed.
"Well, well," Angel spoke with a British accent, watching Willow walk out of the bathroom, with her hair done up, and her makeup on, "You look ravishing."
She giggled, as she glanced in the mirror, expecting to see herself, but then remembered that she didn't have a reflection, "How I'd love to see what I look like!" She turned to Angel in a panic, "Is my shadow on right? Is my lipstick between the lines?"
He laughed, and then studied her face, "Everything seems to be in order--"
"Okay," She tried to feel her hair, which was done up in a loose bun, with a few curls hanging down in front, "Is the hair ugly? Bird nest-y?"
"I'm not an expert at this stuff," He answered, "You know how I do my hair."
She nodded, "Run a bit of gel through it and wait for it to dry. Yup, I know how you do your hair, but I can't do it that way," She askedagain, "Please, what does it look like?"
He walked up to her, "Trust me, it's very elegant. Do you want me to get someone in here to tell you that?" She nodded, "You don't trust me, do you?"
"It's not that," She replied, "I just need a girl to tell me what I look like. It's a girl thing: makeup, and hair."
He understood, "Okay." He picked up the phone, and dialed down to the front desk. After having a conversation with the person working, he hung the phone up, "Some one will come up soon."
"You look fine," A cleaning lady, who looked no older than nineteen, said, "Nothing is out of place, not even a loose hair."
"Thanks." Willow smiled politely.
Angel picked up his coat, and pocketed the room key, "Are we ready?" He asked as the girl left them alone.
"Yup." She smiled.
"Well, then," He replied, "Let's go."
Willow stopped in her tracks, "Angel?"
"Yes?"
"Where are we going?"
Angel took her to an opera at London's finest theater, "How did you like it?" He asked after they got back into their limo.
"Angel," She replied, starry-eyed, "You're amazing."
"Really?"
She took his hand, "Really," She then spoke of the evening, "I mean, the opera was a little mind shattering, but, it was really tragic. And, it was nice to be there with someone special." She cooed.
Angel picked up on it, taking her hand, "Well then, if we're going to talk that way," He stroked the back of her gloved hand with his fingers, "This whole trip has been great."
"I know." She fell back against him. <<I hope Giles found something. I better call him tonight.>>
"Hi," She had dialed Giles' number the minute she had changed into her nightgown, and was surprised to hear a girl pick the phone up, "Are you the new Slayer?"
"Yeah," She replied, "I'm Lisa. How did you--"
"I'm a friend of Giles'," She answered, "Is he home?"
She answered by yelling for Giles, "He's be there in a minute." She replied, and then dropped the phone.
"Hello? Willow? Is that you? How's London?" Giles seemed stressed.
She had to smile. She coul see him being totally stressed out, trying to cope with another Slayer, "How are you?"
"Well enough," He rpelied, and then said, "I've found a few things about that curse you were looking for."
"Really?" She squealed, "Can you e-mail them to me?"
He answered, "I'll get someone to."
"Do you want us home, to help, or anything?"
"No," He responded, "I was thinking about having another Watcher come up though. I'm getting much to old to be doing this sort of thing."
She smiled sadly, "Giles, we'll come home as soon as we can."
"It's not neccessary."
"You need our help."
He didn't want to admit it, and Willow knew that, "Enjoy your trip for as long as you can, and when you come back, then you can help me."
"Fair," She responded, "Don't forget the e-mail!"
"I won't. Take care." She hung the phone up, as Angel emerged from the bathroom wearing pajama pants.
He smiled teasingly when he saw her, "Willow..."
Her heart melted, "Don't look at me that way--" She tried to run away, but he tackled her, sending her to the floor, "Angel! When I get up--"
"You're gonna hurt me?" He smiled, charm oozing around him, making Willow want to slug him even more.
"Grrr.." She growled, as he made his move. He started to tickle her, "Angel! Stop that! That tickles!" She repeated over, and over again, but it did no good. He continued to drive her insane, her innocent laugh filling the room.
"What the--" Willow had mustered enough of her vampire strength to flip them over, so she was on top, "Willow..." His voice now contained mock-warning.
"You're gonna hurt me?" She quoted him from before, as she started teasing him, running her fingers along each sculptured muscle in his arms, chest, stomach. She was tormenting him, while planting kisses wherever she thought they belonged.
"You don't play fair!" Angel commented cryly, trying to resist her skills. She leaned over him, letting their mouths meet in a delicate kiss, and when Angel tried to deepen it out of sheer arousal, she jumped up,
"Play time's over!" She laughed gayly.
Angel rolled his eyes, "You definately don't play fair."
End Part 16
The next day, while Angel cat-napped, Willow spent her time studying the articles Giles had got sent to her. <<Interesting..>> She scanned the contents, over and over, before making a few educated guesses. <<This might work.>> She scribbled down a few verses, then hiding them in one of her bags, and went back to bed.
"What's going on tonight?" She asked him after they washed and changed.
He just shrugged, "How about we go for a walk?"
"Sure." They headed out of the room, and out of the hotel. Angel led the way, taking them to a park, "This is so eerie."
"Yeah," He muttered, "I guess so."
<<What's wrong with him?>> "Angel?"
"Hmm?"
"What's wrong? You're so distant!" She pulled him around to face her, and they stopped walking, "Talk to me."
"You're hiding something."
She paused, "It's about your curse, Angel," She gave in, "I wanted to see if there was anyway to, well, you know."
"Willow," He spoke softly, "I'm sorry; I thought it was worse than that. But," He added, "I don't think there's anyway to change it."
"Don't be so pessimistic, buddy," She spoke defiantly, punching him lightheartedly in the arm, "Besides, Giles sent me a few articles that will help."
"Giles did?" He hsook his head, in disbelief.
She nodded, "Believe it." He took her hand, and they resumed walking. Willow relaxed by his side, glad that they had smoothed things out.
"Willow," He slowed their pace, "Are you happy here, travelling like this?"
She snorted, "Why would you ask a question like that?"
He shrugged, "I just wanted to make sure I wasn't dragging you along with me, against your will or something."
She stopped them again, not saying anything, but leaning up to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her in closer by wrapping his arms around her waist, "Does that answer your question?"
He chuckled, as they continued walking, "I think so..." He paused, and listened, "I hear a--" A vampire jumped out from behind a bush. Neither of them had a stake on them, but while Angel fought hand-to-hand, Willow ran over to the bush, and broke off a branch, to use as a stake. She tossed it to him, and he successfully staked the vampire, "Whew."
"Good job. You handled it well."
He caressed her cheek, "I'm just glad you weren't hurt."
"Aw..." She teased, leaning up for a quick kiss, before they continued walking. They exited the park, and headed down a street, "Um, where are we headed?"
"I dunno," He shrugged cryptically, "I just thought we'd see how far we could get."
"What if we get lost?"
He laughed at the panic in her voice, "Don't worry, Will'. If we do, we'll just hail a cab, and get driven to the hotel."
"Oh. I see you've thought of everything," She smiled up at him, "Good."
"I'm getting sick of planes," Willow complained, as they boarded the next plane to France. They had decided to make France their last destination, and then they'd return to help Giles.
"Aw," He teased, "Poor baby."
She punched him in the gut, with as little effort possible, "Darn Tootin'." He laughed, as they sat down, and buckled their seat belts. The plane took off, and the flight attendants started to serve drinks. Willow and Angel both declined, as they didn't possess a need for such nutrition, and they decided to read magazines. Willow picked a computer magazine, as she was still very much interested in her hacker abilities, while Angel picked a culture-based one. After a bit of reading, Willow gave up, bored our of her mind. <<I'm really learning to hate these flights!>> She pulled out her organizer form her carry-on bag, and looked over her schedule.
"What's wrong?" Angel leaned over, concerned because of the face she was making, "You look upset."
"Huh?"
He warned, "Don't hide from me," And then,he repeated himself, "What's wrong?"
She shrugged, "Tomorrow night, well," She hestitated, "It's my bad night."
He smiled, "Well, we'll just have to tie you down, won't we?"
"If I try to hurt you," She whimpered, "Stake me, okay?"
He rolled his eyes, "We are not having this conversation here."
She raised her hands as if in protection, "Okay, okay!" She closed the subject by picking up the boring magazine again. <<When will this trip ever be over?!>>
"Soon, I hope."
"Angel," She mock-growled, "Would you *please* tell me when you're going to that!?"
He shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face, "Sorry." He was trying hard not to laugh at the tone in her voice, but at the same time, he knew it was serious--he shouldn't just jump into her mind.
"Forgiven." She smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. <<Angel?>>
<<Hmmm?>>
<<How much longer?>>
<<I don't know.>> He patted her head, "Try and get some rest."
"We're here!!" Willow excliamed excitedly, rushing into their hotel room, "Finally!" She added, with an exasperated tone in her voice.
Angel laughed, wheeling in their luggage, "It's nice to be able to settle in," He checked his watch, "We still have a little bit of time, you want to go for a walk?"
She nodded, "Just let me clean up, okay?"
"No problem."
Angel kicked a rock, and watched it roll down the sidewalk, "What do you want to do tomorrow?"
"I have no idea," She shrugged, "Just keep me out of harm's way. Lock me in a cage if you have to. Tie me up, whatever." He was silent for what seemed like eternity, after she had said that, so without even thinking, she read his mind, "Bondage!" She shrieked, "Angel, have you lost your mind?!!?"
He chuckled, "I was letting my imagination wander, Willow," He took her hand, "I wouldn't dream of--"
"What if I try and seduce you, to get you to lose your curse?" She cut him off, as the thought occured to her.
"I won't let that happen," He teased, "As hard as that will be to resist you." He smiled down at her, and then kissed the top of her head.
She wasn't about to be detered from the subject at hand, "I'm serious, Angel. You have to figure out something, anything," She paused, "And if it comes to staking me to save you, I want you to do it."
"Willow, I could never do that to you."
"If I hurt you in anyway," She started, "I don't know what I would do!"
He added, "Let's not worry about that until later."
"If you think that's best."
"I know that's what's best."
Willow laughed, "Okay, Wise One. What else do you know?"
"I know," He paused, "That you want to kiss me."
She giggled, "I always want to kiss you." They stopped and shared a long, passionate kiss, "Anything else you know?"
He glanced at his watch before answering, "That we only have about an hour to get back to the hotel."
"Let's go, then."
End Part 17
"Willow," Angel growled, "Quit your pacing!" She cowered, and sat back down on the bed. He saw how worried she was, and softened, "I'm sorry, Will'."
"I understand," She accepted, "I have to be making you nervous."
He patted her on the back reassuringly, "It'll work out."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Trust me," He replied, and then asked, "Do you want anymore to eat?"
She nodded, "Fill me up!" She giggled, taking another bag of blood from him. She drank it's contents quickly, and added the empty package to the pile she had gathered.
"How many did you have?"
"Six."
He then asked, "Full yet?"
"I think so."
He stood up, "Phase two, you ready."
Angel watched from a chair as Willow's changing took place. It was remarkable, but at the same time, terrifying. She'd shiver and shake, making Angel want to rush to her side, unchain her and tell her that things would be alright, but he couldn't because then she'd flee and terrorize the city.
The next sign of her transformation was the eerie glow that projected from her eyes, and then he knew it was complete, "Angel..." Her voice cooed, resembling Drusilla's, "Let me go, please."
"I can't do that, and you know that," He picked up a magazine, leafing through it lazily, "And you know it's for your own good."
She growled, her face transforming, as she struggled against the bonds, "Damn you, Angel! Let! Me! Go!" She wracked her body back and forth with increasing force. It was hard for him to bear, but in his mind, he knew it was a trap. She was using his protective instinct for her to escape by thrashing visciously against the chains.
"Willow!" He mustered up enough courage to yell at her, in attempts to silence her, but he knew it would do no good, so after thinking up anoother idea, he walked over to her with a cryptic smile on her face, giving up no information.
She knew he had something in mind, but she wasn't sure what, "Angel's got a secret." The vampire would cock her head from side to side as she chanted over and over, until he was crouched over her.
"I do," He smiled, tracing her cheekbone with a single finger, "It's a big secret."
She smiled with glee, "Tell me!"
"Uh uh," He shook his head, "That would ruin the game." When she shut her eyes in frustration, he rolled his eyes, not knowing how much longer he could entertain her. If she was anything like Dru, it could take a long time.
"More, more, more," She cried in glee, "Oh Angel, more, more, more!"
He was right. She was very much like Dru, which bothered him greatly. He had to tease her with pain and pleasure mixed, and luckily for him, she loved it. He hated every minute of it though, and decided that he couldn't wait until the night was over.
"Angel?"
"Yes, Love?" He rolled over, to see his Willow back.
She nodded, answering his unspoken question, "Did I hurt you in anyway?" He shook his head, "How much time is left?"
They had decided that she would stay cuffed up until the next night. He checked his watch, "An hour."
She shut her eyes, and fell into a light sleep. Angel smiled, and turned back to reading his book. He was glad that she was back to her normal self. If anything was ever normal.
He waited until she was breathing heavily, and then he picked up the phone, "Hello, would Anna be there please?" He waited until she came on the other line, "Anna, did you happen to do the research?"
"Yes, I did," A youthful voice quavered, "Just the way you wanted it."
"Did you find anything useful?"
"You'd be surprised," She replied confidently, "There are a few clauses to the curse, but I don't know how well any of these will work---"
He growled, quietly so that Willow wouldn't wake up, but loudly enough to threaten the gypsy girl, "What do you mean?"
"Well, you have to have a good handle on the magickal arts," She replied meekly, scared by his demeanor, "If you have that, yuo're in the clear."
Angel thought long and hard, to someone who could work magick better than Willow, and he recalled an event that once, Buffy had told him the story of Amy, the witch. Maybe she'd be able to help, "Yeah, I think I do." He calmed.
"Well," She responded, "I'll fax the information to yuor apartment today."
He agreed, "Good. I won't be home for another week, though."
"Doesn't matter."
Willow stirred from the bed, "Angel?"
Angel panicked, not wanting her to know what he was planning, "I have to go." He hung up abruptly, and then turned to Willow, "Hmm?"
"What were you talking about?"
He hsook his head, "Nothing."
She tried again, "Who were you talking to?"
"Myself."
She groaned, "You're impossible." He smiled and walked slowly to her bedside, "You have a secret. I don't like it."
He studied her eyes for a moment, to see if she was fully changed back to normal, and then he recalled when they had to play the game. She didn't remember.
"What's wrong?"
"You don't remember?"
She looked at him confusedly, "Remember what?" He launched into the story, as he undid her bonds. She didn't flee like she would have if she was bad, instead, she said, "I'm sorry I said that then."
"Why?"
She replied, "It was in bad taste."
He smirked, "Forgiven."
She ignored his comment, and asked, "When do you want to go home?"
End Part 18
"Giles!" <<It's sooo good to be back!>> She flung herself into his arms, after she fully realized that he wasn't weary of her, "It's nice to see you again."
He nodded, and gave her a smile, obviously caught off balance by how much she had changed, "Good to see your spirits are better."
She nodded, and retreated back to Angel's side, "How is Sunnydale?"
"The hellmouth it always has been."
Angel cleared his throat, "How are you getting along with the new Slayer?"
Giles rolled his eyes, "Lisa has proven to me that I am much too old to be doing this," He sighed, "I should be applying for retirement at the Watchers' Society, but--"
Willow looked at him seriously, "You want any help?"
"Applying for retirement?"
She surpressed a giggle, "No, silly, training."
He nodded gratefully, "Even help with research would be welcomed," he smiled, "I've only now begun to realize how much work you were doing. Willow---"
"Say no moaaaaiiiie!!" Lisa had crept up behind them, and grabbed Willow, mistaking her for someone that might harm Giles. She pulled a stake out, and despite Giles' cries, she continued to hurt Willow. <<Angel!>> Luckily, ANgel grabbed the stake in the nick of time.
<<You know I wouldn't let anyone hurt you.>> He checked her over with his warm eyes.
"Lisa!" Giles scolded, "These are friends of mine."
She squinted defiantly, "They're vampires. How can they be friends?"
He didn't answer her question, "Willow, Angel," He introduced them instead, "This is Lisa."
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Um, sure, whatever." She rolled her eyes, and turned to Giles, "The handbook says you can't---"
He cut her off, "I've told you time and time again that I've abandonned training by the handbook. Being here on the Hellmouth has taught me that you can't follow what a few men had decided so long ago," He cocked his head to the side, "You simply have to improvise."
She rolled her eyes again, and left the room.
"Hello?" Willow picked Giles' library phone up the next night, during a study party.
"Willow!" Xander's voice sounded so happy to her, she oculdn't help smiling, "It's so great to hear ya! How are you?"
She laughed, "Good," She then asked, "You sound pretty happy yourself, what's up?"
Angel walked over, "Lobotomy?" She shot him a threatening glance, "Or not.." He murmered, walking back to a dusty volume. <<Cruising for a bruising, aren't ya?>>
"No, Dead-boy's wrong again," Xander had overheard him, "Actually, I kinda needed an address from you."
"Why?"
He took a deep breath, "Well, I have a wedding invitation for you, and I was wondering where I coul send it---"
"Wedding invitation?!" She shrieked, "When did this happen? Cordelia? Details!?!"
He laughed, "It happened a few weeks ago. I proposed to Cordy when we were studying for an exam, and after she beat me up verbally for being such a moron, she said yes."
"Oh, Xander," She beamed, "This is so great. I'm really happy for you."
"That means a lot," He responded, "Can you go to the wedding?"
She replied with a question, "When is it?"
"Next week."
Willow wiped a tear away. The wedding was beautiful. Angel handed her a Kleenex everytime the ceremony saddened her. <<Here, use it wisely. It's the last one.>>
"Thanks." She smiled up at him, as the ceremony pressed on.
The priest said, "I now pronounce you Husband and Wife," He looked at Xander and Cordelia, "You may now kiss the bride."
Xander scoffed, "Like I'd want to kiss her."
"Exactly." She folded her arms across her chest.
"I want a divorce."
She nodded in agreement, "Or, could we forget this had ever happened?"
Everyone rolled their eyes, knowing it was just their antics. Willow knew full well they'd stay married, and happily married at that. <<Why do they always fight like that?>>
Xander eyed Cordelia, who eyed him right back. They gave in to passion and fell into emotional turmoil in front of everybody. Angel rolled his eyes, and as best man, he advised Xander with a quiet growl, "Get a room."
Willow laughed, while Xander pulled back, and muttered, "Did I hear Dead-Boy talking?"
"Here we go again." Cordy rolled her eyes at Willow, who was called upon to be her maid of honor. Willow just laughed in reply.
"Anne," Angel was calling his gypsy friend, a few days after the wedding, about the curse, "I have the sheets, but, what am I supposed to---"
She cut him off, "Just take them to your Witch, she'll know what to do." And with that she hung up, leaving a frustrated Angel at the other end.
He cursed in Gaelic, before dialing someone else's number, "Hi, Ami?"
"Yeah," A groggy voice replied, "What do you want?"
He introduced himself, and then started the story which involved Willow, "This would mean a lot, and---"
"No problem," She responded, "If it means Willow's health, I'll do it."
"Thanks."
Willow sat down at the library's infamous Slayerette Table with Giles, "You sure this will work?"
He shrugged, "The words and references are correct," He replied, "It should."
"Let's get started." He looked at her quizzically, but she just shrugged, "Giles, if you don't want to do this, I can do it myself. I know yuo don't exactly like Angel."
He shook his head, "It's true, but, this is securing safety."
"In a place where safety is rare," She shrugged, "Giles...."
"No, we're going to do this, now." They prepared the circle, and then Willow sat at the alter, and cast the corners. Giles lit the incense, and helped her chant saying his parts in Latin, while she spoke hers fiercly in English. At the end, her eyes glowed a bright yellow, she felt this energy go through her, and then the candles blew out. Scared, and shaky, she closed the circle. <<So tired, I can't believe how much this magick drains me....>>
"That went well," Giles shrugged, sidestepping the issue, "Don't you think?"
"I wonder how Angel is...."
<<Meanwhile....>>
Amy studied the spell, and then looked at Angel, "It's just a little chant," She scanned it, "Oh, and this..."
"Can it be done?"
She nodded, and quickly got to work, "Luckily, I have everything here." She mixed some Holy water with a few types of incense, which represented her soul. She lit the mixture afire, and chanted. The fire started to glow purple and blue, which amazed Angel. He was impressed.
The fire blew out, and she closed her eyes, "I think it's done," Angel nodded, as a fire raged through his body, causing him to double over. She glanced at him, and then did a double take, watching him grimace in pain, "Are you alright?!"
Willow shrieked, falling over, "What's going on?!"
Giles rushed to her side, "Are yuo alright?"
She panted heavily, due to the pain, and nodded, "I think so. I just wish I knew what the pain was from."
<<Angel?>>
<<Willow, are you alright?>> His link was fuzzy, and was very hard to read.
She panicked. It didn't sound like him, or maybe something was wrong. <<Are you alright?>>
<<Where are you?>>
<<Library.>> Then the link went dead. She picked herself up off the ground, and shook her head, facing Giles, "That was so weird."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I think so." She sat down, as the Watcher checked her over. She closed her eyes, and let the tears slide from them, as the pain rolled through her in waves.
Giles looked at her in shock, "You're glowing, Willow."
"Huh?"
"Glowing," He repeated, "A shimmering silver aura."
Angel rushed into the library, and saw his partner in pain. It broke his heart, "I'm so sorry," He cradled her in his arms, "I only wanted to help." She studied his face, and through his fear of seeing her in pain she saw the pain she had created.
"You're hurt," She caressed his forehead, "And, it's because of me."
Angel blinked, "So you reinforced the curse?" She nodded,
"Just like you healed me."
"I can't believe it," He smiled, "I don't know what to say." Giles had suggested that they go home, and talk. They agreed, and that's what they were doing now, walking home.
"Me neither."
That day, while everyone else worked and went to school, they slept in. They kind of avoided the issue, and neither of them pushed the other one further than he, or she, wanted to talk. They just enjoyed each other's prescense.
Willow woke up, and decided that she'd start to read a book Giles had loaned her. She loosened Angel's grip on her, sat up and started reading.
"Willow?" A muffled voice came from the pillows.
"Hmmm?"
He asked, "Would you marry me?"
She was too immersed in the book, "Just let me finish the page, okay?" She then realized what he had said, as the words sunk into her head, "What?!"
He chuckled, "Would you, Willow Rosenburg, marry me?"
"Do you have to ask that, Silly!" She sank down under the covers to kiss him, "When will we do it?"
"Whenever you want."
She smiled, kissing his forehead, "I love you."
"Now that I'm free to saythose words," He returned the smile, "I love yuo, too."
Spike parked his car near the park, watching Willow and Angel kiss under the moonlight, "Maybe when she's bad, I could steal her back."
"Where will we have our honeymoon?" She asked curiously.
He chuckled, "Details, details. Is that all you want to know?" He drew her in close, never so glad to have her in his life. He felt so open, now that he knew he was safe around her, able to express his feelings.
Willow, too, felt so much better. She loved this new step their relationship had taken. The first time they kissed, it had thrown them further apart with fear and guilt. But, now, it seemed like they were free. She leaned on him, resting her head on his chest, as he protectively swirled around her.
"Yes, I'd like to know a few details," She replied after some time, "If that's okay with you."
He laughed, releasing her from his grip, "Let's go tell Giles?" She nodded.
"He should know," And then she frowned, "I don't know if they'll--"
"They?"
She nodded, "Xander, Cordy, Giles. I don't know how they'll feel."
"How do you feel?"
"In love with the vampire I love." She leaned on him as they walked towards the library, "Completely head over heels."
End Part 19
<<There, the last one.>> She sealed the last envelope, and placed it in a pile with the others, "Angel?"
"Yes?"
"They're ready to be mailed--" The phone rang, cutting her off, "Hello?" She answered it,
A familiar voice responded, "Hey, Willow," It was Amy, "How are you?"
"G-good." She replied shakily, knowing that she hadn't really heard from the Witch in so long. <<I wonder what's going on! Maybe something's wrong, or....>>
"Could I speak to Angel?"
"Sure," She replied, and handed the phone to Angel, "It's Amy." <<You have some explaining to do, Buster>> She smiled, retreating from the kitchen area. Things had changed in the few days surrounding their 'firmations', as Angel liked to call them; for instance, now, she was living with Angel permantently, her parents knew what happened to her--Giles had informed them of the truth one night--and they were starting to really date. It was odd, because she had only ever dated Oz before, and he was a werewolf. <<What is it with me and monsters??>> She teased herself, pacing around, waiting for the conversation to be over, so she could grill him with questions.
He hung the phone up, and it rang again. He shrugged, picked it up, and was greeted by a familiar voice, "Hey, Anne..yes, it worked."
Willow rolled her eyes, and tuned the conversation out. That was another thing that had changed--Angel bought a phone. Willow pretty much requested that, and a computer every day for a month, and when he knew how much she wanted it he bought her them as gifts. <<Why did he have a fax though?>> She shrugged, thinking back to that day. <<Oh well, he's always been crazy like that.>>
<<I wonder why they called him...first Amy, and now some Anne girl.>> She wasn't one to be jealous, but when two girls started calling him, the green monster infested itself deep in her mind.
He hung up, "I'm going for a walk."
"Can I come?"
He shook his head, "It's--"
"Amy?" She cried, "Or Anne?!"
"What's wrong?" He studied her face, as he reached out to touch her, "Are you doubting my love for you?"
She nodded, "When they start calling, Angel, I get worried. Very worried."
"Don't worry." He hissed, and left. <<Damn!>>
She was following him. <<He probably knows that I'm behind him, oh well, I must find out!>> Determination swept across her brow, she slipped through the shadows, lways a few steps behind him. A girl that she didn't recognize was there,
"Hello, Anne." He spoke respectively, but she couldn't figure out why he was being so curtious.
"They are really ma--" Willow didn't bother staying around. She turned and fled the scene.
"Ouff!" She ran into someone, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you--" <<He has no heartbeat!>> She shuddered in fear, but looked up to see his face and relaxed, "Spike!"
He chuckled, "Hullo, Red," He studied the few tears on her face, "Déjà vù, isn't it?"
"Huh?"
He wiped the tears away, "What did Loverboy do this time?"
"I dunno," She shook her head, "I just don't trust him on this--"
He hugged her, "Trouble in paradise, Will'?" She nodded. <<Why am I doing this? If ANgel sees me-->>
"Willow," The familiar voice was behind her, "What's going on?"
"I dunno...." She used the line again, "I thought I knew." She pulled away to face him, "I should ask you the same thing. I mean, who is this Anne person?"
"You don't trust me."
She quoted a book, "'It cannot be given, if it hasn't been recieved.'"
He blinked. <<Willow, do you want to break the engagement?>> There was no reply, she was so on edge, she had shut her link off. <<What's wrong with her?>> "I'll leave you two alone."
"ANGEL!! No!!" She wailed, turning to Spike, "I'd really like to catch up with you, but, can I--" He nodded, almost saying he'd find her again, as she ran to catch up with him, "Angel! Get your ass back here."
His eyes widdened, "Willow--"
"Nothing's going on between me and Spike. I just saw him now. I ran into him, because I followed you. I saw you with Anne. Don't tell me that didn't hurt. I didn't throw a fit, but I did run," She frowned, "Okay, so I did something wrong, but I just wish you'd tell me you weren't happy."
"You want to go somewhere and talk?" She nodded sadly, "How about the library? I don't think Giles is there."
They walked in silence, neither of them trying the link. They weren't aware that Spike was following them, but they were so preocupied with their own happenings, that they didn't notice much. Willow was shaking, and had Angel's arms wrapped around her, in attempts to stop it.
"Here we are." They walked in, noticing the lights were on, but it appeared that no one was there.
Willow sat down in her favorite library chair, while Angel sat next to her, "So," She tried to start to conversation, "How's Anne?"
He coughed, startled by her attack, "Willow, you want to know the truth?" She nodded, "She's the one that found the spell for you," She narrowed her eyes in confusion, "The one that would curse you for good. She's a gypsy, like Jenny," He sighed wistfully, "Betrayed her tribe. She's been helping Slayers, and Watchers, and," He searched for a word, "Us, for a long time."
"Really? That's all?" He nodded, "Well, I feel much better," She took his hands in hers, "I'm so sorry; I didn't trust you. I just felt you sneaking around behind my back for such a long time---"
"But," He added, "You were doing the same thing. You'd always be with Giles, researching, never telling me what about..." He smirked, adding, "At least with Giles, I didn't have to worry about the two of you getting together."
She giggled, offering him a loving smile afterwards, "Angel, I---"
Spike picked that moment to walk in, with two of his minions flanked on either side of him, "Isn't this cozy?"
"Spike...." Willow tried to reason with him, but before she coul say anything other than his name, he cut her off.
"I only wanted to see you again."
She eyed him nervously, shooting confused glances at Angel, "What if--"
"Angel," He grinned smugly, "Do you think I could borrow her?"
"No." He growled, refraining to say anything else, because of Willow's restraining hand on his arm.
"Puh-lease? I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Her eyes widdened at his next comment. <<How dare he think that he knows me that well!>> He approached them, but she didn't budge, so he added, "I'd love to see you again, Willow, recapture the ol' flame."
She hsook her head, "Why are you doing this?" She continued, "You left, tearing me up inside, and I moved on. I thought you did that same with Dru. Why did up all this buried stuff?"
"I want a fair trial?"
"On the Hellmouth?" She rolled her eyes, "There's a joke."
He shrugged, and started to walk away, "If you do want to talk, you know where to find me." He disappeared from the room, his 'protectors' behind him.
She stood up, and started to tremble. Angel rose from his chair as well, and wrapped himself around her, rocking her back and forth, "You shoul go to him."
"Huh?"
"I took that break-up feeling away from you and him."
She shook her head, "I want you."
He nodded, "And believe me, I want you. But, I also want you to be happy. How will I know that otherwise?"
"I am happy!" She insisted.
He pulled back from her, "I'm gonna go. I'd like you to resolve this on your own. Whom ever you choose will be very lucky---"
"But, Angel, I choose you!"
He kissed her, and for a minute, she thought he was staying. All he did was whispered, "I love you." In her ear, and then walk out of the library. She broke down, and sobbed.
"WHy, why, why, why, why?" She cried, unaware of someone's prescence in the room.
"Willow?"
She looked up to see Giles, "Giles, what am I going to do?"
He took a deep breath, "As long as I've known you, you've always been a rose between two thorns: Jesse and Xander, Xander and Oz, Oz and Spike, Spike and Angel," He was trying to be sympathetic, but wise at the same time, "I hope you can make the right decision."
She shrugged, and fled out of the library.
End Part 20